And the Band Played "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda"
Tony Miles

When I was a young man and played a guitar
I lived the free life of a rover.
From Brisbane's green river to dusty folk clubs
I waltzed my old Martin all over.
And at each club I played, the people said ‘Son,
We do like your songs’, but when I was done
They'd leap on the stage saying "Now I'll sing one"
And this is the song that they'd sing.

1st Chorus:
'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda',
Then the audience soon forgot me
And amidst all the tears, flag waving and cheers,
I'd slip to the loo for a pee.
   
How well I remembered that terrible day,
How my blood boiled much hotter than water.
For up to that time I'd been well on the way
To winning the publican's daughter.
Johnny Turk, he was singing and sang the song well,
I showered him with insults and truth is to tell,
I wished Eric Bogle had gone straight to hell
And never had come to Australia.

2nd Chorus:
'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
was such a well loved refrain
that when Johnny Turk had finished the berk
Started all over again.

And now every April I sit on my porch
And watch my past life pass before me.
And I wished I had written that rambling song
That brought Eric Bogle such glory.
And the songs what I wrote, I don't sing them no more
They're tired old songs from a tired old bore
And the young people ask ‘What did he write them for?’
And I ask myself the same question.
3rd Chorus:

'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda' -
How the singers respond to that call,
And as year passes year all my hopes disappear
That no one will sing it at all